TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Legislative Committee
SUBJECT:
title
Approve positions on specific bills for the 2026 Oregon Legislative Session.
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
Result Area(s): Good Governance; Natural Environment Stewardship; Safe Community; Safe, Reliable and Efficient Infrastructure; Strong and Diverse Economy; Welcoming and Livable Community.
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SUMMARY:
summary
On a routine basis, the City Council’s Legislative Committee reviews and recommends priorities for funding and to guide legislative advocacy for the City of Salem. The Committee forwards these recommendations for City Council approval. The Legislative Committee is comprised of Mayor Julie Hoy and Councilors Brown, Gwyn, and Nordyke, with Councilor Nishioka serving as alternate. Before any official representing the City of Salem can attempt to influence legislation on a particular matter, during the interim or during a legislative session, the City Council must adopt an official position related to that matter.
The Oregon State Legislature convened for its short session on February 2, 2026 and will conclude by March 9, 2026. On February 13, 2026, the City Council Legislative Committee met to consider positions on specific bills moving through the 2026 Oregon Legislative Session. The Committee met again on February 20, 2026 to consider bills and a draft letter of support for a transportation funding solution. The bills recommended for Council consideration and the support letter are attached (Attachment 1).
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ISSUE:
Shall City Council approve positions on specific bills for the 2026 Oregon Legislative Session?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Approve positions on specific bills for the 2026 Oregon Legislative Session.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
The City Council’s Legislative Committee is comprised of Mayor Julie Hoy and Councilors Brown, Gwyn, and Nordyke, with Councilor Nishioka serving as alternate.
On December 8, 2025, the City Council approved priorities for funding and policy priorities to guide legislative advocacy for the City of Salem.
The Oregon State Legislature convened on February 2, 2026 for its short session. The Committee meets weekly during the short session to receive updates and consider priorities for the City’s State and Federal agendas.
On February 13, 2026, the City Council Legislative Committee met to positions on specific bills advancing in the 2026 Oregon Legislative Session. The Committee recommends City Council approve positions on specific bills. On February 20, 2026, the City Council Legislative Committee met again and approved positions on specific bills. The bills recommended for Council consideration and the support letter are attached (Attachment 1). As the Legislative Committee advanced positions on bills out of the February 20 Committee meeting, Councilor Nordyke asked staff to register her dissent to the City’s opposition to House Bill 4094, which obligates employers to provide compensation for unused paid time off resulting in a significant, unplanned financial expense to the City.
BACKGROUND:
The Legislative Committee will provide the City Council with regular updates. To continue a coordinated and unified response during the upcoming session, and in accordance with Council Policy No. G-1, the Mayor and Councilor are asked to communicate the nature of their legislative contacts to staff via an email to Courtney Knox Busch (cbusch@cityofsalem.net). Staff will forward the communication to the City’s lobbyist, the Legislative Committee, and City Council as appropriate.
Courtney Knox Busch
Assistant City Manager/Director for Strategy & Engagement
Attachments:
1. Legislative Committee recommended bills from February 13 and 20, 2026.